Window regulator



Dec. 8, 1942. J. G. JOACHIM WINDOW REGULATOR Filed May 27, 1940 2Sheets-Sheet 1 I N VEN TOR.

' .Jost-PH GEORGE JoAcmM 47B ATTORNE Dec. 8j, 1942. J. G. JOACHIM WINDOWREGULATOR Filed May 27, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I. v INVENTOR.

JOSEPH GEORGE JOACHIM ORNEYS ,www

FIGB

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Patented Dec. 8, 1942 UNITED initio WINDOW REGULATOR Joseph GeorgeJoachim, Detroit, Mich., assigner to Ferro Stamping & ManufacturingCompany, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigall l Application May27, 1940, SerialNo., 337,505

7 Claims.'

This invention relates generally to window assemblies for vehicle bodiesand refers more particularly to improved guide means for the verticallyslidable closure panels of window assemblies.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provideguide means for the vertically slidable closure panel rendering itpossible to reduce the eiiort required to effect sliding movement of thepanel to a minimum and having provision for insuring free slidingmovement of the closure throughout its path cf travelA regardless ofslight manufacturing inaccuracies or irregularities that may be presentin the guides.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of guide meanshaving a pair of vertically extending guides respectively supported:adjacent opposite vertical edges of the closurev yand having shoescarried by the closure in positions to slid'ably engage the guidesthroughout the path of travel of the closure.

Another yobject of vthis invention'which contributes materially toreducing the friction between the guides and shoes consists ininsulating the shoes Yfrom metallic contact with the guides by means ofa lubricant impregnated non-metallic material having a low coefficientof friction. This arrangement not only provides for reducing thefriction Ybetween the relatively slidable parts, but also insuresobtaining quiet operation.

A further object of this invention resides in the `provision of 'guidemeans of the type set forth above wherein the shoes are mounted on theclosure lpanel for sliding movement toward and away from the `guides andwherein yieldable means is provided `for normally urging the shoes intofrictional engagement with said guides. As a'result o'f thisconstruction, manufacturing inaccuracies and irregularities in theguides are automatically compensated for and binding of the partsvduring movement of the closure panel vis eliminated.

'In addition to the foregoing, the present invention contemplatesadditional guiding means for the closure panel having provision forpreventing shifting movement of the closure panel transversely of thepath of travel during its vertical sliding movement.

'The foregoing, as well as other objects, will be i made more apparentas this 'description proceeds, especially When considered in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is van elevational view of the inner side of a door `of avehicle body equipped with a window assembly constructed in accordancewith v this invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the windowassembly shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken substantially on the plane indicatedby the line 3-3 ofFigure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicatedbythe line 4--4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a cross sectional View taken substantially on the planeindicated by the line 5-:-5.

of-Figure 2;

yFigure 6 is` ar sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5; y,

Figure '7 is a sectional View taken on the planeY indicated by the line'I-l ofv Figure 2;

Figure-8 is a cross sectional View taken on the plane indicated by theline 8--8 of Figure 1.-

For the purpose of illustration, I have shown this invention inconnection with a Ventilating window assembly mounted in a door of avehicle. body, although it Will be understood as this descriptionproceeds that certain features of the invention are applicable to windowassemblies regardless of whether they are of the Window Ventilating typeand irrespective of whether they are mounted in a door ofthe vehiclebody or some other part of ther latter.

With the above in mind7 reference is now made toFigure 1 of the drawingwherein the reference character I0 designates a vehicle body door havingthe usual window opening I I through the upper end thereof and having awell I2 beneath the window opening. In the present instance, the Windowopening I I is closed by a Ventilating window assembly comprising avertically slidable closure panel I3 and a pivoted panel It. -The.closure panel I3 is mounted-in the rear portion of the window openingII for vertical sliding movement from a closed position in the window,opening to a position within the well IZ and the panelr I4 is pivotallymounted in the front portion of the window opening for swingingmoyevmenty about a substantially vertical axis I5 located between thefront and rear edges of the panel MI. ,t

rThe two panels are located in acommon vertical 'plane when in theirclosed positions and C0013- ;erate with .one another to completely closethe window vopening II in the door I0. Any suitable means (not shown)may be provided for ladjusting the pivotedpanel ,I4 about lthe verticalaxis ,I5 to extend the portion of `the panel in advance of the axisinwardly and to extend the portion of the panel in rear of this axisoutwardly. As a resf'ult, an exchange ofair is obtained between theinterior of the vehicle body and the atmosphere xteriorly of the body.The vertically slidable panel I 3 is moved relative to the pivoted panelI4 byl means of a window regulator I6 mounted on the door structure inadvance of the path of travel of thevertically slidable panel I 3.Although various diierent types of window regulator mechanisms may beemployed for actuating the vertically slidable panel I3, nevertheless,for the purpose of illustration, I have shown the regulator mechanism ascomprising the usual gear segment I1 and actuating pinion I8 meshingwith the teeth on the segment. The pinion I8 is rotated by a suitableoperating handle (not shown) and the gear segment is connected to thelower edge of the glass panel I3 by means of an operating arm 20.

More particularly, the free end of the arm is pivotally connected to abracket 2I having a horizontal portion 22 connected to the lower end ofthe closure panel I3 for sliding movement transversely of the verticalpath of travel of the panel. In the present instance, the horizontalportion 22 of the bracket is slidably connected to a pair of plates 23and 24 secured to the bottom edge of the usual glass retaining channel25 which, in turn, is secured to the lower edge of the closure I 3'.Each of the plates 23 and 24 is formed with ahorizontal slot 26therethrough for respectively slidably receiving the stud assemblies 21secured to opposite ends of the horizontal portion 22 of the bracket 2|.The lengths of the slots 26 are predetermined to compensate for theswinging movement of the free end of the regulator arm 2l) when thelatter is actuated by the gear segment I1 and, accordingly, binding ofthe parts is prevented during operation of the window regulatormechanism to eiiect sliding movement of the closure panel I 3. In fact,the stud assemblies 21 are shown in Figure 7 as having lubricantimpregnated leather washers 28 positioned to engage the adjacent sidesof the plates 23 and 24 to reduce the friction to the minimum andthereby facilitate operation of the regulator mechanism to effectsliding movement of the closure panel I3. It may also be pointed out atthis time that the weight of the closure assembly is counterbalanced toassist raising the closure by means of a second arm 29 supported inparallel relationship to the arm 20 with the opposite ends respectivelypivotally connected to the bracket 2| and to the support for the gearsegment I1 of the window regulator mechanism.

A suitable counterbalancing spring 30 of the clock type is positioned inoperative relationship to the arm 29 tending to raise the closureassembly I3.

Upon reference to Figure 8, it will be noted that the space between thefront edge of the vertically slidable panel I3 and the rear edge of thepivoted panel i4 is sealed in the closed position of both panels bymeans of a division bar 32 secured to the front edge of the closurepanel I3. The division bar 32 has a rearwardly opening channelshapedportion 33 for receiving the forward edge of the closure panel I3 andhas a flange 34 projecting forwardly from the base of the channelshapedportion 24 at the inner side of the window opening. The flange 34 formsan abutment for the swinging edge of the pivoted panel I4 and serves tolocate the latter in its closed position in the window opening.

In window assemblies of the type briefly described above, it isdesirable to effectively guide sliding movement of the closure.

the vertically slidable glass panel I3 throughout its path of travel andto obtain this result without substantially increasing the resistance toIn the present instance, the foregoing is accomplished by `securing apair of vertical guides 35 in the window well I2 of the vehicle body inpositions at opposite sides of the path of vertical travel of theclosure panel I3. Upon reference to Figure 5, it will be noted that eachguide 35 is fashioned with an inwardly opening substantiallysemi-circular recess 36 extending for substantially the full length ofthe guide andadapted to receive a shoe 31. The shoe 31 engaging in therecess 36 in the front guide 35 is secured to a downwardly extendingprojection 38 on the forward end of the plate 23 and the shoe engagingthe rear guide 35 is mounted on the lower end of a bracket 39 inalignment with the front shoe. The upper end of the bracket 39 issecured to the glass retaining channel 25 and, accordingly, both shoesare carried by the closure panel I3 for movement as a unit therewith.

Referring again to Figure 5 of the drawing, it will be noted that eachshoe comprises a semi-circular body portion 40 adapted to extend intothe recess 36 in the adjacent guide 35 and having a strip ofnon-metallic material 4I secured to the outer surface thereof bycrimping the edges 42 of the -body over the material. The material 4I onthe shoes slidably engages the inner surfaces of the recesses 36 in theguides and this material has a relatively low coefficient of friction.Particularly satisfactory results have been secured by utilizing alubricant impregnated leather, although, of course, other materials maybe employed.

It is important to note that the' guides 35 are free from frictionalcontact with the opposite vertical edges of the closure in all positionsof the latter. The guiding4 function 'is accomplished solely by thesurface engagement between the shoes 31 and the guides 35. Thus, thefriction is not only relatively small but is uniform throughout theentire movement of the closure panel I 3.

The body portion 40 of each shoe is secured to the outer end of a stud43 slidably mounted in a bushing 44. The inner end of the stud 43 oneach shoe projects beyond the corresponding end of the bushing and isprovided with an annular groove for receiving a clip 45 engageable withthe outer end of the bushing to limit the extent of inward movement ofthe stud relative to the bushing. The inner end of the bushing 44.associated with the shoe at the front side of the path of travel of theclosure I3. is provided with a reduced portion extending through anopening formed in the bracket 38 and is peened or riveted over the innerside of the bracket to permanently secure the bushing to the bracket.The bushing 44. associated with the shoe at the rear side nf the path oftravel of the closure I3, is also formed with a reduced portion at theinner end extending through the bracket 39 and riveted over the innerside of this bracket to permanently secure the shoe to the latterbracket.

. The body portions 40 of the shoes are yieldably urged in an outwarddirection to frictionally engage the lining materal 4I with the innersurfaces of the recesses 38 in the guides by means of coil springs 46.The coil springs 45 respectively surround the bushings 44 of 'the shoesand the outer ends of the coil springs extend into the body portions 40of the shoes in abutting engagement with the inner surfaces of the bodyportions. The inner ends of the coil springs respectively abut thebrackets 33 and 39. As a result, the coil springs maintain the shoes insliding engagement with the inner surfaces of the semi-circular recesses36 in the guides 35 and permit limited shifting movement of the closurein the plane of the latter to compensate for any irregularities that maybe present in the guides.

In addition to the foregoing, a channel-shaped guide U is secured to theinner door panel 5I in a position substantially midway between theguides 35 and has a length approximating the length of the guides 35. Asshown in Figure 3, the guide Eil slidably engages a follower 52 securedto the lower end of a bracket 53 having the upper end thereof fixed tothe glass retaining channel 25 at a point between the plates 23 and 24.It will be noted from the above figure that the bracket 53 is spaced asufficient distance laterally outwardly from the channel guide 50 toprovide the clearance required for the window regulator arms 2i] and 29.The purpose of the guide 50 is to insure a substantially straight linemovement of the vertically slidable glass panel i3 throughout its pathof travel.

Thus, from the foregoing, it will be observed that I have provided arelatively simple and inexpensive guide means for the vertically movableclosure panel of a window assembly. It will also be apparent that myimproved guide means effectively controls the path of travel of theclosure panel with the minimum amount of friction between the relativelymovable parts and without any danger of binding of the p-arts duringmovement of the closure. As a result, the closure may be readily movedthroughout its path of travel with the minimum amount of effort.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a vehicle body having a window opening, a vertically slidableclosure panel for the window opening, a well located below the closurepanel for receiving the latter when it is lowered from the positionthereof in the window opening, a pair of vertically extending guidemembers located in said well with one member positioned adjacent onevertical edge of the closure and with the other member positionedadjacent the opposite vertical edge of the closure, said guide membersbeing free from frictional contact with the adjacent side edges of theclosure in all positions of the latter and a pair of shoes respectivelycarried by the closure at opposite side edges of the latter in positionsadjacent the guides and having a relatively small area slidablyengageable with the guide members.

2. In a vehicle body having a window opening, a vertically slidableclosure panel for the window opening, a well located below the closurepanel for receiving the latter when it is lowered from the positionthereof in the window opening, a pair of vertically extending guidemembers located in said well with one member positioned adjacent onevertical edge of the closure and with the other member positionedadjacent the opposite vertical edge of the closure, said guide membersbeing free from frictional contact with the adjacent side edges of theclosure in all positions of the latter and transversely curved to forman arcuate guiding surface, a pair of shoes respectively carried by theclosure in positions adjacent the guide members and having transverselycurved portions of relatively small area extending into the transverselycurved portions of the guide members, and facings of non-metallicmaterial secured to the shoes and slidably engageable with the arcuateguiding surfaces on said members.

3. In a vehicle body having a window opening, a vertically slidableclosure panel for the window opening, a well located below the closurepanel for receiving the latter when it is lowered from the positionthereof in the window opening, a pair of vertically extending guidemembers located in the well with one member positioned adjacent onevertical edge of the closure and with` the other member positionedadjacent the opposite vertical edge of the closure, said guide membersbeing free from frictional contact with the closure panel in allpositions of the latter and having inwardly opening longitudinallyextending recesses provided with transversely curved guiding surfaces, apair of shoes respectively carried by the closure in positions adjacentthe guide members and having transversely curved portions of relativelysmall area respectively extending into the recesses in the guide membersto cooperate with the latter in guiding the closure panel throughout itsvertical movement.

4. In a vehicle body having a window opening, a vertically slidableclosure panel for the window opening, a well located below the closurepanel for receiving the latter when it is lowered from the positionthereof in the window opening, a pair of vertically extending guidemembers located in the well with one member positioned adjacent onevertical edge of the closure and with the other member positionedadjacent the opposite vertical edge of the closure, said guide membersbeing free from frictional contact with the closure panel in allpositions of the latter and having inwardly opening longitudinallyextending recesses provided with transversely curved guiding surfaces, apair of shoes respectively carried by the closure in positions adjacentthe guide members and supported for movement toward and away from theVguide members, said shoes having transversely curved arcuate portions ofrelatively small area respectively extending into the recesses in theguide members, a material having a relatively low coefficient offriction secured to the transversely curved portions of the shoes andslidably engageable with the arcuate guiding surfaces on said members,and yieldable means normally urging the shoes in a direction to maintainthe material on the shoes in frictional engagement with the guidemembers.

5. In a vehicle body having a window opening, a vertically slidableclosure panel for the window opening, a well located below the closurepanel for receiving the latter when it is lowered from the positionthereof in the window opening, a pair of vertically extending guidemembers located in said well with one member positioned adjacent onevertical edge of the closure and with the other member positionedadjacent the opposite vertical edge of the closure, the locations of theguide members relative to the closure being such that the guide membersare free from frictional contact with the closure in all positionsthereof, a bracket secured to the bottom edge of the closure and havinga depending extension, a shoe mounted on the extension and having arelatively small area slidably engageable with the adjacent guidemember, a second shoe also carried by the closure and having arelatively small area engageable with the other guide member, and windowregulator mechanism having an operating arm connected to said bracket.

6. In a vehicle body having a window opening, a vertically slidableclosure panel for the window opening, a well located below the closurepanel for receiving the latter when it is lowered from the positionthereof in the window opening, a pair of vertically extending guidemembers located in said Well with one member positioned adjacent onevertical edge of the closure and with the other member positionedadjacent the opposite vertical edge of the closure, the locations of theguide members relative to the closure being such that the guide membersare free from frictional contact with the closure in all positionsthereof, a bracket secured to the bottom edge of the closure and havinga depending extension, a shoe mounted on the depending extension of thebracket for sliding movement toward and away from one of the guidemembers, a second shoe also carried by the closure panel for slidingmovement toward and away from the other guide member, yieldable meansnormally urging the shoes into engagement with their respective guidemembers, and window regulator mechanism having an operating arm slidablyconnected to said bracket.

7. In a vehicle body having a window opening, a vertically slidableclosure panel for the window opening, a well located below the closurepanel for receiving the latter when it is lowered from the positionthereof in the window opening, a pair of vertically extending guidemembers located in said well with one member positioned adjacent onevertical edge of the closure and with the other member positionedadjacent the opposite vertical edge of the closure, the locations of theguide members relative to the side edges of the closure being such thatthe guide members are free from frictional contact with the side edgesof the closure in all positions of the latter, and a pair of shoesspaced below the bottom edge of the closure and carried by the latter inpositions adjacent the guide members and having a relatively small areaslidably engageable with the guide members.

Y J. GEORGE JOACHIM.

